Dynamic Perspective, TU Wien Collaborate on Drone Gimbal

EuroPhotonicsSep 2015
A lightweight camera-suspension system for ultralight aircraft and drones has been developed by Dynamic Perspective GmbH and Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien).

Weighing less than 20 kg, the DynaX5 gimbal features five rotational axes and sophisticated control technology to compensate for shaking with such precision, top-quality film footage can now be obtained from remote-controlled aircraft, according to TU Wien. The technology also finds potential in live sports broadcasts.

A new gimbal is light enough to be used on drones and steady enough to produce high-quality live video footage. Courtesy of Vienna University of Technology.

"Weighing up to 70 percent less than existing systems, our gimbal is the first that is suitable for use on ultralight aircrafts and drones, alongside conventional applications such as helicopters, cranes, cars and boats," said Dynamic Perspective Managing Director Peter Morawitz.

Researchers spent two years working on the control system to enable active camera stabilization through a Cardan suspension. While only three rotational axes are necessary to rotate a camera in space, two extra axes were added for fine, quick corrections.

Sensors measure the position of the camera several thousands of times per second, with programmed control algorithms calculating the exact corrective movement in a matter of several hundred microseconds so electromechanical actuators can then perform the corrections.